Oven lighter



May 12, 1953 R. A. BlGGs 2,637,989

OVEN LIGHTER Filed March 27. 1951 f( (JM 1li [In Patented May 12, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE OVEN LIGHTER Ruth A. Biggs, Elmira, N. Y.

Application March 27, 1951, Serial No. 217,813

3 Claims. 1

My invention is an improved holder and lighter for matches adapted for use in lighting ovens, stoves, furnaces, etc.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a combined holder and lighter wherein the match is lighted in a position remote from the users hands so as to decrease the danger arising from a backiiring of the combustion gas, or from sulphur sparks dying from the match head.

Another important object of my invention is to provide an inexpensive combined holder and lighter wherein the striking surface for the match head may be adjusted to accommodate the various different lengths of matches manufactured.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device wherein the burned match is springreturned to the initial starting position to facilitate replacement thereof with a new match.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent during the following discussion of the drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the combined holder and lighter with a match in operative position.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the device.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation thereof.

In the practical embodiment illustrated in these figures, the device comprises a frame I constructed of Sheet metal bent over upon itself as at la to form a handle portion Ib. One leg of the frame extends outwardly to provide an arc-shaped member lc, and the other leg extends straight out from the handle lb to provide a mounting for the mechanism herein-after discussed. This latter leg is formed to provide a channel having a web ld and opposed sides I e.

The mechanism includes an arm 2 pivotally mounted to the cuter end of the channel if, the arm being made of stiff wire bent around several times as at 2a to form a bearing, and the pivot being joined by a pin 3 transxing the sides le of the channel and the wire bends 2a. The arm extends outwardly from the pin pivot 3, and carries at its outer end two aligned loops 2b and 2c adapted to receive and grip a match stick M having a match head MH at its outer end. The inner extension of the arm 2 has a crook 2c', engaging the outer end 4a of a tension spring 4, the inner end 4b of the spring 4 being secured to the channel sides le by a pin 5.

The arc-shaped leg member lc has a slot Ih through which the mechanism actuating rod 6 passes. The inner end of the rod carries a finger hole 6a, while the outer end of the rod 6 is pivotally secured as at 6b to an eye 2e in the arm 2. The outer end of the leg member lc is hooked 2 back on itself as at I :c to provide a mounting Im for the roughened striking plate 1.

In operation, the match stick M is inserted through the loops 2b and 2c. The device is then held at the handle end lb in the hand of the used. One nger of the hand is extended through the finger hole 6a to pull the rod 6 when the match is to be lighted. It is apparent from the drawing that when the rod 6 is pulled inwardly from the match end of the device, the arm 2 will be caused to turn clockwise about the pivot 3 so that the match head MH will travel along the dotted arc A, scratch across the striker plate 'l and light.

As is generally known, the matches of various manufacturers may be of different lengths, and therefore it may be necessary to change the spacing between the striker plate 1 and the pivot 3. This adjustment is made by bending the arcshaped leg member Ic to the position whereat the match head MH will make contact with the striker plate l, if the size of the matches being employed is changed, The arc-shaped leg member being somewhat resilient in nature, the striker plate l can give slightly when struck by the match head so as to reduce the likelihood of breaking the match stick in normal use.

I do not limit my invention to the exact form shown in the drawing, for obviously changes may be made therein within the scope of the claims.

I claim:

l. An oven lighter adapted to hold and ignite a kitchen match having a striking head, comprising a frame bifurcated at its outer end to provide two legs, and having an inner end serving as a handle; an arm pivotally mounted on one leg, the arm being adapted to swing in the plane of the bifurcated legs; a roughened matchstriker xed on the other leg; a spring yieldably urging the outer end of the arm away from the striker; a linkage rod connected to the arm and extending inwardly to the handle and adapted when actuated to pivot the arm toward the striker against the force of the spring; and a holder on the arm to receive and hold a match with its head facing outwardly from the pivot.

2. In a lighter -as set forth in claim l, said frame being constructed of sheet metal, and said other leg being bendable to permit adjustment of the distance between the pivot and the striker.

3. An oven lighter adapted to hold and ignite a kitchen match having a striking head, comprising a frame bifurcated at its outer end to provide two legs, and having an inner end serving as a handle; an arm pivotally mounted on one leg, the arm having an inner portion and an outer portion with respect to the pivot and being adapted to swing in the plane of the bifurcated legs; a roughened match-striker fixed on the other leg; a spring stretched between said inner portion and the frame yieldably urging the outer portion of the arm away from the striker; a linkage rod connected to the outer portion of the `arm and extending inwardly to the handle and adapted when lactuated to pivot the outer portions of the arm toward the striker against 4 the tension of the spring; and a holder on the outer portion of the arm to receive and hold a. match with its head facing outwardly from the pivot.

RUTH A. BIGGS.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 

